Petite Roses Set

 

I love these so much!
They match my newest dress perfectly and I am determined to make them in every color possible.

Pattern

 

What we did while on holiday

 

 

Well I might tell you first that we didn't do the beach tent to my utter disappointment.

However we did a lot of other things and have mutually agreed that it was one of our best summers (we say that every year :P).

As you can see above, we managed to make Eva a mermaid and we had lots of fun making the beach shadow people. I am the second from the left and if you look at my hand-prints closely it seems as if I am trying to stop this whole thing.

 

We revisited this gorgeous beach and made some new photos.

This year was no exception so we collected all sorts of stones and shells and driftwood at the beach. 
 

We drew, painted, weaved, crocheted, listened to lots of music, read books, took a lot of pictures, walked a lot, visited other places and generally we enjoyed each other's company.

We already know where we'll be going next year, and we cannot wait for it! 

Until next summer holiday!

Moroccan Cuffs - crochet pattern

 

After the henna tattoo post it seemed natural to show you my latest cuffs.

For these my inspiration were the Moroccan exotic and mystical nights. I added some beads and sequins so that they are true to their name. 
 

The pattern can be found in my shop

Henna tattoos

 

Henna tattooing  is not characteristic for my culture and I have always found it mystical and heavily symbolic. 

As a student I used to give a copper shine to my hair by dyeing it with red henna, but I have never tried henna tattooing. To tell the truth even if I wanted there were any studios that would do that. At least not back then. 

I do not like tattoos and I don't have any nor I would ever have, but if I get a chance I would henna tattoo my hands again! I did that when we were traveling Tunisia and had a lovely, flowery tattoo made by a street tattooist. I had chosen a design that had flowers, vines and leaves without knowing the meaning then -  later I discovered they represent happiness and joy, devotedness and vitality.

Below I have chosen some gorgeous and intricate tattoos I don't think I would muster the courage to have them myself.

How about you? Do you like henna tattoos? What designs would you choose?

 

via

 

via

Popular Henna Design Meanings:

Peacock: The proud peacock symbolizes beauty. Swans: Symbolize success and beauty.
Birds:Birds serve as the messengers between heaven and earth.
Dragonflies and butterflies: Symbolize change and rebirth. 
Paisley designs:Intricate and scrolling paisleys can represent fertility and luck. 
Flowers: Flowers and petals symbolize pure happiness and joy.
Vines and leaves: Vines and leaf henna designs often represent devotion and vitality and are perfect for marriage celebrations. Snakes and lizards:Reptiles are often considered the seekers of enlightenment in henna practices.


Here's a brief explanation how henna tattoos are done.

Notebook crochet cover

 

All this began when I found this wrinkled and torn notebook in the recycling box. In my home (at school too) I am very strict when it comes to using paper. Not a single sheet is used in vain. Everyone knows my lecture on paper, especially using notebooks which unfalteringly starts with: "Have you got any idea how many trees are killed every day so that you could have these notebooks?" So, I wasn't letting this one go without a purpose. Since its cover was missing, first I glued a cover I made out of cardboard.

 Then I took out my jar filled with scraps of yarn and crocheted the cover.

I used a light cotton piece to line it.

 

   

Finally I added a lovely and big button I got from my blog friend Ira and since I didn't have any elastic in the colors I used for this cover to serve for closure, I crocheted a chain which I use to wrap around the button to keep the notebook tightly closed. 

Although I used sport yarn for the main piece and DK for the trim (the red part), that DK makes it a bit sturdy, heavy and clumsy looking. However, I love it. It is quite unique. My new notebook.

This goes right on my craft table to wait for me to dot down any of the thousands ideas that struck me daily. 

Another great way to use scraps of yarn.

Bohemian Brooch Pattern

 

Proudly presenting the latest brooches from my workshop.

Each consists of  two big picot roses and a rose bud. I added crocheted and lace ribbons and trims, but feathers are not excluded as an idea.

 

The pattern.

Outstanding Crochet - Журнал Мод

 

I remember the first time I discovered the Russian crochet magazine "Zhurnal Mod" (Журнал Мод). I was literally blown away. Their free form crochet patterns are true artwork, you must agree.

Here's a selection I've been drooling over for a while.

Check out some more amazing images here.

 

When a heart is filled with song

These are the gems I received from my blog buddy Ira for my birthday. Ira, you are so thoughtful! You really made my heart sing!

I can't say what I love most; the card, the flowers, the treasure bag or the amazing retro banner!

I couldn't help it  - I had to make something with the lovely beads and I made myself a charm bracelet. Something that will always remind me of my kind friend. 

Thank you so much!
Ira's present last year.

Summer Mori

 

The summer Mori fashion gets me in the mood for flouncy, lacey shirts and skirts. A lot of inspiration for future refashions.

Beach Stone Totems

 

 

This is an activity I highly recommend for the lazy summer afternoons. In the hours when it was unbearably hot we usually retreated in the coolness of the house and dived into crafts and reading books. 

For this activity we collected stones at the beach. We searched for particular ones - thin, flat and  elliptic because I wanted us to make totems. 

We used tempera paints and consulted thistolearn about Native American Totems and their meaning.